Following the announcement, Indiana basketball coach Tom Crean commented on Smith's decision. Crean took to Twitter to make his remarks. The following was taken from his Twitter page:

"Tracy Smith is one of the finest coaches I have ever met. It was an absolute Honor and Privilege to work side by side with him. As great a teacher as Tracy Smith is he is even a better person and to see how he built this program to what it is should make us all proud. We should all be thankful for what Tracy and Jaime Smith did for this School and State. @ASU has no idea how fortunate they are to have you."

Smith took over as IU's baseball coach in 2006. Two years later Crean became the school's basketball coach. Smith was named the NCBWA National Coach of the Year in 2013.